Moderate correlation of CST and BCVA in CRVO macular edema eyes receiving IAI

Results from 2 randomized clinical trials demonstrated that for eyes treated with intravitreal aflibercept injections (IAI) for macular edema from central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), a moderate correlation existed between change in central subfield thickness (CST) and change in best correct visual acuity (BCVA). For any change in CST from baseline, however, a broad range of change in BCVA was observed through the end of study. Although changes in CST may help determine the need for repeat anti-VEGF, these findings do not support using changes in CST to predict VA outcomes, according to a presentation at the ASRS 2021 Annual Meeting.

The post hoc analysis included patients with macular edema due to CRVO who were treated with IAI or sham in the phase 3 COPERNICUS and GALILEO trials from July 2009 to April 2012. In both trials, IAI 2 mg was given every 4 weeks for 6 doses, followed by IAI on a PRN basis from weeks 24 to 100 in COPERNICUS and from weeks 24 to 76 in GALILEO. In COPERNICUS, of 187 eyes, 114 received IAI. At baseline, the correlation between CST and BCVA was -0.50. Correlations between change in CST and change in BCVA from baseline at weeks 12, 24, 52, and 100 were -0.36, -0.38, -0.44, and -0.41, respectively. In a linear regression analysis of correlation between change in CST and change in BCVA at week 100 adjusted for baseline factors, CST changes accounted for 21% of the variance in BCVA changes. In both trials at 100 weeks, every 100 µm decrease in CST was associated with a 2.1 letter increase in BCVA.

Reference
Gu SZ. Correlation between change in CST and change in VA in eyes with macular edema due to CRVO receiving intravitreal aflibercept injections in two RCTs. Presented at: 2021 ASRS Annual Meeting.